Holiday Hazards for Pets, Holiday Hours, and Upcoming Events
First Aid seminar coming up THIS SATURDAY at 1 p.m. For a $25 fee, you will receive supplies to build your own pet first aid kit and instructions from Dr Sandi on how to correctly use them. Please call 816-331-1868 to register as there are limited seats available. You will need to bring the shoe-box/cigar box sized container of your choice, or we will send the items home in a bag for you to select a box later.
Massage Appointments are still available on December 18 for your pet, with certified canine massage therapist Michelle Sickles. Call 816-331-1868 to sign your doggie up for a spot.
Holiday Hours: We will be CLOSED from noon, December 23 until noon, December 29. We will close again for the New Year holiday from 5 p.m. December 31 until 9 a.m. January 4. Call now to get an appointment before the holiday rush!
Giving Tree donations: Once again, we have a Giving Tree in our waiting area. If you bring in a small donation for local animal shelters, you will receive $5 off your visit. Suggestions include a pet food item, dog or cat toy, treats, dog sweaters, small blankets or towels, or leashes. Help us decorate our tree and help local shelters!
Christmas and holiday hazards for your pets: The holiday season brings many hazards for your pets that you may not think of. Be careful of:
Entanglement: Tinsel, garlands, strings of beads, extension cords—all these can get tangled around your pet, possibly causing injury or even death if unsupervised. Keep pets away from these!
Foreign objects swallowed/blockage: Small ornaments, torn paper or cardboard, children’s toys, bones, food wrappers, and more can be swallowed and cause intestinal blockage requiring surgery. This is an especially common problem with strings/tinsel/aluminum icicles in cats, and just about anything in certain dogs (you know who you are, Labs!). Make sure you supervise what your pet plays with, and keep them away from tempting items.
Food items: Many pets get sick over the holidays due to eating rich foods they are not accustomed to. While tidbits of non-fatty healthy foods may be ok for some pets, make sure you check with your vet about foods that are unhealthy and keep any alterations to pet diets at 10% or less of their total daily consumption. Also make sure you know what food items should never be fed to pets, like grapes/raisins, chocolate, and fruit pits.
Alcohol: Parties can expose pets to many things that aren’t ordinarily found where they can get into it. Large parties come with the hazards of food plates and alcoholic beverages possibly sitting on lower tables. It may be best for most pets to be boarded or confined in a quiet bedroom during gatherings until the clean-up has been completed.
Prescription meds/xylitol in purses: This is another one that catches some people by surprise. Xylitol is a common artificial sweetener in gums, candies, and some medications. Some people carry prescription medications in their purses or suitcases. If you have visitors in your home, make sure their belongings are securely closed and put away where the pets can’t have access to them.
Escape during events: Many people coming and going means much door-opening. Also, visitors may not realize your pet is not allowed to go out a certain door where it might get into trouble. Again, keeping your pet confined safely during gatherings is best, or you can make sure visitors know which doors must be kept closed and who is allowed to let the pet outside.
Frostbite: Hopefully, your pet is never left outside long enough for this to be an issue. But, you should familiarize yourself with safe temperature and duration for your pets depending on their breed and what type of shelter you offer. Discuss this with your vet.
Road salt: If your dog regularly goes out with you for exercise, remember road salt can irritate the pads of their feet, and can even make them sick if they lick it off. If your pet has been exposed to ice-melt of any kind, be sure to rinse their feet off well as soon as you return home.
Antifreeze: Most people are aware that antifreeze is highly toxic to pets, causing kidney failure. During winter, make sure to clean up any spills or leaks and make sure antifreeze is never left out in an open container that a pet (yours or someone else’s) could lick from. Antifreeze is sweet and some pets like the taste.
Poisonous plants: Mistletoe, poinsettias, lilies, and many other holiday plants can cause varying degrees of illness in your pet. Research the plant online for potential toxicity to pets before bringing it into your home, and carefully monitor it for signs your pet has had a snack. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about exposure.
Ornament breakage: Glass ornaments are beautiful, but their sparkle and dance on the tree is a strong temptation for many pets, especially cats and those ball-loving dogs (remember that Lab from above?). The thin glass is easily broken and can cause severe injury, especially if swallowed.
Injury from reindeer hooves: Keep your pets off the roof-tops, and secure them where they won’t bother Santa while he works.
Depression from inadequate gifting: This is easily prevented by making sure your pet has a present to unwrap under the tree. If you see signs of this, an immediate shopping trip to a pet store is needed to cure it.
Doc Sandi and Debbie wish you all a wonderful holiday season! Be sure to post pictures of your pets in their holiday finest on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VeterinaryAlternatives/ or by searching Whole Health Pet Center.